An online community of creatives, and animal charity New Hope Animal Rescue, to launch #Art4animals a new art-themed campaign in a bid to make potential owners aware of what keeping an animal involves.

#Art4animals is an initiative which aims to raise awareness that an animal is for life and not just for Christmas, and should be seen as a long term investment, much like a piece of art. The initiative came about via Cara's friend Sophia Kerrison who's a huge animal activist and wanted Cara's help to raise awareness and money for New Hope Animal Rescue.

Cara Delevingne and Talenthouse are inviting illustrators, designers and artists around the world to create original animal-themed piece of artwork that celebrates everything animals bring to our lives for the chance to be featured as part of a #Art4animals London exhibition, curated by Cara, where the work will be auctioned by contemporary online gallery Kids of Dada to raise money for New Hope Animal Rescue.

As part of the #Art4animals campaign, celebrities including fashion designer Matthew Williamson and Sadie Frost have contributed their pet-themed art work.

Cara is hosting the collaboration within Talenthouse's community, which is free to join, and consists of creatives from art, design, music, film, fashion and photography.

Commenting on the #Art4animals campaign, Cara said: "I'm concerned by the level of cruelty suffered by animals at the hands of humans, and I believe we have a responsibility to stand up against animal abuse, and help provide those animals who have suffered, a second chance. I'm so excited to be teaming up with Talenthouse to launch #Art4Animals and support the brilliant work New Hope Rescue does in helping remove vulnerable animals from danger, particularly animals that have been turned away elsewhere. Owning a pet is not all about the 'cute factor'; it involves a lot of time, love and money, so if you're thinking about getting any animal as a gift for someone at Christmas, or any time of the year, make sure you are ready for the commitment! This is such an exciting, worthy cause and I can't wait to see the art work that Talenthouse's global creative community produces. I hope you will join me in raising money and awareness for this fantastic rescue and all the animals that rely on it."

New Hope Animal Rescue's founder Niall Lester said: "The animal welfare message has become synonymous with the festive season, but is equally relevant at any time of the year, so we're asking everyone to think twice about buying an animal as a gift. We're so thrilled to have Cara and Talenthouse's global creative community on board for #Art4animals, to help spread the message about animal welfare and raise awareness of the work we do to help animals with special requirements and rehouse animals in sanctuary homes for a lifetime of happiness & understanding of the particular animal's needs."

Co-founder of Talenthouse, Maya Bogle, said: "We're thrilled to be partnering with Cara Delevingne on this exceptional creative collaboration, to raise awareness of the brilliant work New Hope Animal Rescue does and unlock exceptional opportunities for artists & creatives everywhere. #Art4animals is a huge opportunity to make your creative mark and work with an excellent non-profit charity, and one of the most recognisable faces on the planet. We're thrilled Cara has partnered with Talenthouse to tap into the creative community and liberate important career-boosting opportunities for creatives everywhere."

16 artists as selected by Cara, Sophia, New Hope Animal Charity and Kids of Dada will:

• Have their work re-produced, sold on kidsofdada and will receive 10% of all profits* (proposed selling price £150 per print, limited edition run of 50 printed on-demand).

• Have their work and Talenthouse profile featured across the social media channels of Cara, Sophia, New Hope Animal Rescue and Kids of Dada*Remaining profit minus administration costs will go directly toward New Hope charity. Kids of Dada or Talenthouse will not personally profit from these sales.

The voting period is the time to engage your friends, family and supporters to vote for your work! One artist with the highest number of votes will:

• Automatically have their work included in the limited edition run of prints on kidsofdada.com

Illustrators, designers and artists have until 6pm GMT, Monday 1 December, 2014 to submit and upload their original animal-themed art work here: www.talenthouse.com